No charges for Boulder couple in case of alleged threat to president

Federal prosecutors not planning any action against Robert and Catharine Pierce

Robert and Catharine Pierce shown in Boulder in 2009 during their fight against eviction over topless gardening.
(
MARK LEFFINGWELL
)

Prosecutors do not plan to file any charges against a Boulder couple investigated in Ohio on suspicion of making threats against the president.

Michael Tobin, a spokesman for the U.S. Attorney's Office in the northern district of Ohio, said Robert Dale Pierce and Catharine Marie Pierce will not be charged in connection with an incident last month in a Marblehead, Ohio, restaurant.

Police in Marblehead detained the couple Saturday after receiving a call that Robert Pierce had said he was going to "kill Obama and take him down," according to a police report.

A disassembled rifle and ammunition were found in the Pierces' car, according to police.

Catharine Pierce is known in Boulder for gardening topless outside her Cherry Avenue home and for her public dispute with Boulder Housing Partners, which owns the property.

The Ohio police report said the Secret Service was contacted and that the Pierces were detained so that they could be interviewed by agents.

A spokesman for the Secret Service said he could not comment on the case and referred questions to the U.S. Attorney's Office, where Tobin said prosecutors are not planning to take any action.